Abstract [en]

Occupational therapy is a profession that highlights health and wellbeing through activity. Occupational therapists enable people to participate in everyday living. An activity means the ordinary and familiar things that humans do every day. Virtual reality is a simulation in which computer graphics are used to create a realistic environment. This world is not static but is one with which the user can interact. The purpose of this literature review is to describe how and why Virtual Reality can be used by occupational therapists. After a database search 14 articles were found. Through a manual search, five additional articles were added. The result shows that virtual reality can support the performance of meaningful activities and provide a safe environment to work in. Virtual reality can allow people with disabilities to participate in activities that otherwise would be inaccessible, such as different leisure activities. It also offers the opportunity for people to prepare themselves for different situations that occur in real life, such as returning home from hospital or going shopping. There is still a lack of research within occupational therapy on the commercial systems like Nintendo Wii, and more research is required to develop this field of research.